U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-Farmville, used the term “Uncle Chang” in a reference to China as he spoke with a military commander about American dependence on China to pay for operations in Afghanistan, The Washington Post reported.

Here’s an excerpt from the Post:

During a House Armed Services Committee hearing with Gen. John R. Allen, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) shared his concerns about ongoing operations in Afghanistan.

“What is the metric?” he asked Allen. “What is the event that the administration and General Allen, you, sir, are going to be candid with the United States Congress, and more important than the Congress, the American people, as we are spending $10 billion a month that we can’t even pay for. The Chinese — Uncle Chang is lending us the money to pay that we are spending in Afghanistan.”

Jones continued: “When does the Congress have the testimony that someone will say, we have done all we can do? Bin Laden is dead. There are hundreds of tribes in Afghanistan and everyone has their own mission, talking about the tribes.

“I hope that sometime in between now and 2014, if things are not improving or they — they are fragile like they are now, somebody will come to the Congress and say the military has sacrificed enough; the American people have paid enough; and somebody would shoot straight with the American people and the Congress.”

Jones is vying for re-election in the 3rd Congressional District, which, after redistricting, now includes parts of New Hanover and Pender counties, as well as much of the N.C. coastal region. He faces former New Bern police chief Frank Palombo in a Republican primary.

he seems to make very good sense to me. We use “Uncle Sam” affectionately for our nation. I see nothing wrong with the congressmans’ reference. This is more worthless “gotcha” reporting. I thought with the StarNews new management, this sort of reporting would come to a halt.

About This Blog

Watchful eyes on government and politics in the Cape Fear region, with a focus on government spending. Raleigh bureau reporter Molly Parker, city of Wilmington reporter Julian March and New Hanover County reporter Ashley Withers contribute to this blog.